Tired of seeing your FPL bill go up and up and up?

Tankless water heaters offer an endless supply of hot water, so you never have to take a cold shower and, by instantly heating only the water you need, when you need it, these suitcase-sized units save more than just space - they save energy, which means you save money!

With traditional, tank-style water heaters, you’re filling a 50-gallon storage tank, then paying to keep all that water hot, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, whether you’re using it or not. That accounts for about 15% of your electric bill, or $400 to $600/year for the average household.

Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand or instant water heaters, generate hot water only when you need it, for as long as you need it, making them 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Tankless water heaters also last more than 20 years on average, that’s twice as long as a “storage” water heater, so you’re saving money in the long run too! Plus, there’s no risk of a catastrophic water leak because there’s no

Tokens of appreciation like these letters from our friends at VFW Post 3233 really help put us in the Holiday Spirit!

Thank you Remi and Peter for the kind words and we look forward to providing top-notch plumbing services for years to come!

Call The Professionals!

1^st Sign: Your Water Heater Is Too Old

And how old is too old you ask? You really should replace electric water heaters after 10 years and gas water heaters after 8. But what if you don’t know how old your water heater is? Well, the year and month of production is on the serial number, but it’s not always obvious.

In the case of Bradford White Water Heaters, one of our favorites, the first two characters of the serial number represent the year and month of manufacture, but it’s coded as follows. Other brands, use different codes, but a quick online search will help you solve the puzzle.

2^nd Sign: The Tank is Rusted

If hot water comes out of the faucet rusty or you see rust around the water inlet or pressure relief valve on the water heater, there’s a good chance the inside of the tank is rusted. Rusty water, in and of itself, isn’t great, it’s also a harbinger of leaks which means you’ll need to replace your water heater soon.

3^rd Sign: The Water Heater is Making Noise

Like rust, noise is never a great sign. More often than not, the cause

Ever been told you shouldn’t shower during a lightning storm?

You probably figured it was just and old wives’ tale like the one about chewing gum staying in your stomach for 7 years if you swallow it or the one about waiting 30 minutes after eating before jumping in the pool, but it turns out that you probably should avoid a lot of water-related activities (indoors or out) during a lightning storm.

Most of us will automatically head indoors during a lightning storm. The National Weather Service has even coined the phrase “When thunder roars, go indoors.”, but did you know that, roughly, one third of all lightning-strike injuries occur indoors?

To protect yourself indoors, avoid lying on or leaning against concrete floors and walls as lightning can travel through metal wires or bars in concrete, avoid plugged in electronics or corded phones (cordless and mobile phones are fine), and avoid contact with water as lightning can travel through plumbing.

In fact, the CDC’s Lighting Safety page warns us not to “bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm” and, in a recent story out of Oklahoma, we learn that we should probably add

Honored to once again sponsor the Friendliest Catch and maintain the tradition set by Professional Plumbing & Design co-founder, Ted Wittman, who up until the last tournament volunteered his time and boat to take special needs children and adults out on Sarasota Bay for a day of fishing followed by a picnic and awards ceremony at the Sarasota Outboard Club.

Thanks to everyone who came out to see us at the Boats On The Block Party Downtown Sarasota! Click https://bit.ly/2UbfBCt to see all the pictures from Friday night and stay tuned for pictures of tomorrow's Friendliest Catch catch and release tournament!

Join us for the return of the Suncoast Summer Fest Boats On The Block Downtown Sarasota Block Party on Friday June 25 from 6:00 to 10:00.

See our powerboat (again) at the Van Wezel Pits Fanzone on Saturday June 26 from 10:00 to 5:00, and watch us race on Sunday June 27 at 1:00 (Race 3 #Superstock). Visit https://p1offshore.com/race-schedule/86543 for the full schedule of events!

Professional Plumbing & Design is proud to be the GOLD SPONSOR for JAMFEST FOR VETERANS benefiting Heroes Welcome Home, a home ownership and housing assistance charity serving U.S. Veterans throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Join us for live music performed by local bands, food trucks and vendors, biker events and prizes, and much more.

Local bands rocking together for a cause:

3:00 PM - Black Thorn Rose

4:00 PM - Part Time Genius

5:00 PM - Nobody’s Fool

6:00 PM - Otis on Top

7:00 PM - Jack’d Up

8:00 PM - The Collective

General Admission: $10.00

VIP Tickets: $75.00

Visit https://bit.ly/2Nuhd7t for tickets.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for plumbing companies to pay their technicians a commission.

Some companies even set sales goals or minimum bill requirements their technicians must meet - even if it means selling you products and services you don’t need.

At Professional Plumbing & Design, we understand that commissions incentivize technicians to upsell customers, rendering their professional advice, shall we say, less than trustworthy…

Let’s face it, the average homeowner doesn’t know very much about plumbing, so they rely on the plumber (or whatever contractor they hire) to provide honest advice. If your plumber’s paycheck depends on the size of your invoice, you can be sure they’re going to try to upsell you.

Professional Plumbing & Design has been family owned and operated since 1985.

We are not a franchise and our plumbers, many of whom carry Master Plumber and Journeyman Plumber licenses, are not on commission. We are fully licensed, bonded and insured, we offer upfront pricing, and we stand behind every job with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Professional Plumbing & Design has stood the test of time because we are committed to providing best service, at the best price, with the utmost fairness and honesty - every customer,

By: Matt Wittman, President of Professional Plumbing & Design, Inc.

From the Tips & Tricks Issue (September 2020) of Community Magazine,
The Official Journal Of Community Associations Institute West Florida Chapter

Maintaining water heaters, pipes and water supplies helps avoid costly flood damage. Units with cast iron drains should be on a regular cleaning schedule.

Inside homes and condominium units, make sure all water supplies to fixtures, faucets and appliances (dishwasher, ice maker, washing machine, toilets and faucets) are of the braided stainless-steel type with metal connections. Replace all non-braided stainless-steel supplies with metal connections; even braided supplies with plastic connections have shown to be possible leak or flood points. These supplies are under constant water pressure day and night and can fail at any time.

Water heaters should be replaced at least every 10 years unless they have a longer warranty. Most associations require this replacement to avoid flooding damage to other units. There can also be flood stop-valves installed at the water heater that will shut off the water to the water heater if it leaks. Taking leak detection a step further, there are whole house I unit leak detection systems that will shut the water off to

Summer is officially here and that means the beaches are full, boats are on the water, and summer plumbing woes are in full bloom, but these easy-to-follow tips can help you avoid unnecessary headaches because – you just don’t need another problem right now…

Clogged Garbage Disposals

With so many of us doing a lot more cooking these days, garbage disposals are working overtime. To keep your garbage disposal running smoothly, be sure to run cold water down the drain for 15 seconds before AND after, and check out our recent blog to learn what NOT to put down the garbage disposal. 

Washing Machine Issues

With more outdoor activities like hiking, going to the beach and, let’s face it, sweating - summertime is laundry time. Avoid washing machine issues by making sure the washing machine is at least 4” from the wall so the hoses don't get kinked, replace the hoses every 3 years, and check them at least once a year to ensure they aren't leaking, cracking or bulging.

Leaky Faucets

All faucets eventually wear out and, with all the extra hand washing, this already common problem is sure to be particularly pertinent this year. Don’t ignore the

Angie’s List offers “FREE access to ‘top-rated pros’, exclusive online deals and more than 12 million verified reviews from real people” so how can you go wrong with a recommendation from Angie’s List?

Well, for starters, only advertisers are described as “top-rated pros” and they’re listed ahead of other contractors. They’re also given special treatment when it comes to negative reviews and, when a consumer asks for a recommendation – they’re only given the names of advertisers.

In fact, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) warns “If you use Angie’s List, ignore their recommended companies.” CFA recommends that “When possible, consumers should rely on nonprofit organizations that evaluate businesses and are not funded by the companies they are evaluating.”, but Angie’s List isn’t a great deal for advertisers either…

When consumers are sent 4 or 5 recommendations, they tend to choose the lowest priced option. On top of that, advertisers are encouraged to offer discounted prices and onsite search results seem to favor businesses that offer coupons. For this reason, established contractors who are unwilling to sacrifice quality in order to offer bargain prices avoid Angie’s List.

Angie’s List started out as a subscription-based service in 1995. In 2017, IAC

The holidays are upon us and, for many of us, that means BIG family meals…

When it’s working properly, a garbage disposal reduces the amount of waste your family generates and it makes kitchen cleanup faster and easier, but how do you keep it from breaking or backing up when you have a house full of people and it’s working overtime?

Running cold water down the drain for 15 seconds before AND after you run the disposal will help flush the waste into the main sewer and prevent backups, but the most important thing to know is what NOT to put down the garbage disposal.

First of all, NEVER, ever put grease or cooking oils down the garbage disposal (or any drain). Once cooled, pour most of the grease into a container that you can recycle and blot the remaining grease with paper towels before washing the pan in the sink.

Other items to avoid putting down the garbage disposal are:

• Stringy or Fibrous Fruits & Vegetables - Corn husks, banana peels, potato peels, pumpkin guts, asparagus and celery stalks can all wrap around the blades of your disposal.
• Egg Shells & Onion Skins – The thin membrane on the

Our favorite time of year is almost here! Mark your calendars for the 35th Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix on Sunday July 7 and don't miss the Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular on the 4th & the Downtown Block Party on the 5th.

https://youtu.be/DhRxuRjOnvI

Call The Professionals at 941-355-5400 to find out how the Enviro Water Products Pro-Combo Whole-House Water Filtration & Salt-Free Water Softening system can protect your family, your home, and the environment!

Meet Flo by Moen™

Say hello to smarter plumbing with this all-in-one security system for your water and protect your entire home from water damage & leaks – guaranteed!

Flo learns your home’s water use and detects leaks anywhere in your house, no matter how small, even behind walls. Flo even checks for stuff that can lead to leaks, like high water pressure, so you can stop leaks before they happen. And, if a pipe bursts while you’re away, Flo detects it and automatically shuts off the water, preventing catastrophic water damage.

https://youtu.be/YTFKKNzCvkY

Call The Professionals at 941-355-5400 and start saving on your water consumption and your homeowners insurance with Flo by Moen.

Almost every drop of water you use goes through your water heater.

It sits there while it’s getting hot then it flows out when summoned.

Because unfiltered water is almost never perfectly clean, sediment tends to build up at the bottom of your water heater, reducing its efficiency.

Your water heater is an essential part of your home’s plumbing system, protect it by clearing all filters and flushing out these sediments once or twice per year.

Chemical drain cleaners are not great for your pipes, especially when dealing with older plumbing or if you’re not sure what material your pipes are made of. Rather than pouring potentially damaging chemicals down your drain, stock up on some good old-fashioned white vinegar. Vinegar can be used to break up mineral deposits caused by hard water which can lead to clogs and it can be used clear aerator on faucets or shower nozzles thereby improving water pressure.

It’s easy to forget about your pipes – after all, they’re hidden under floors and between walls, but pipes don’t last forever.

They can corrode and burst, causing you all kinds of headaches, which can be avoided, if you catch the problem early enough.

The most obvious sign that your pipes have become compromised is a pipe leak, but leaks, especially small leaks, aren’t always so obvious. If your water pressure is lower than normal or your water bills are higher than normal, and you haven’t increased your usage, or you see evidence of mold or mildew in your home, you might want to have a plumber check things out.

Here in Florida, copper piping is especially vulnerable to pinhole leaks caused by corrosion that breaks through the surface of the piping, so keep an eye out for blue-green corrosion on copper pipes.

If your home was built over 40 years ago, and your pipes are not made of PVC, there’s a good chance your pipes have begun corroding.

The rule-of-thumb lifespan for different piping materials is:

•   Brass: 40 to 70 years
•   Galvanized steel: 20 to 50 years
•   Cast iron: 25 to 30 years
•   Copper: 10

Clogged drains are one of the most common residential plumbing woes. This handful of tips will help you avoid most household clogs...

Kitchen sink clog are, more often than not, caused by food waste that is bound together by oil and grease. You can save yourself a lot of heartache by always scraping leftover food into the trash, using a drain screen, and never, ever pouring grease or cooking oils down the drain. Once the oil has cooled, pour most of it into a container you can recycle, then blot the remaining grease with a paper towel before washing the pan in the sink.

When it comes to the shower and bathroom sink, the number one culprit is hair that is bound together with soap scum. Believe it or not, traditional bar soaps are made from fats and oils (yuck). Installing a shower strainer and switching to liquid soaps will go a long way towards preventing clogs.

Lastly, don’t flush sanitary products, diapers, cotton balls, cotton swabs, or anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. Making sure you have a wastebasket in each bathroom will help you (and your guests) avoid the temptation of flushing things that can lead